Edgewood Town Council Approves Master Plan for State Trust Land

By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor
After countless public meetings, the Edgewood Town Council signed the Joint Planning Agreement (JPA), approving the master plan for Edgewood Commons. State Land Commissioner Ray Powell and Edgewood Mayor Brad Hill have given the start to the revision of the master plan for the state trust land, also known as Section 16.

The Edgewood Town Council has approved the master plan for Edgewood Commons. After holding public meetings, it has signed the Joint Planning Agreement (JPA). State Land Commissioner Ray Powell and Edgewood Mayor Brad Hill have given the go-ahead to the revision of the master plan for the state trust land, also known as Section 16.

The JPA goes beyond the cooperative working relationship between the State Land Office and the Town of Edgewood on Section 16. It targets the marketing of state trust lands for economic development purposes. Based on the open discussions with the public, the master plan includes a town center, recreational trails, public buildings, land, the expansion of the healthcare facility, economic development, and residential opportunities.

The Edgewood Commons master plan was initially produced in January 2000 by the New Mexico State Land Office. This is an update that details the process of turning a parcel into a central piece of the developing community.

“I greatly appreciate the outstanding working relationship we have with the elected, community, and business leaders of Edgewood. These relationships extend over 20 years and are based on mutual respect,” said Powell in a press release. “Edgewood has developed an outstanding vision for the future that will make it a wonderful place to live, do business, raise a family, and retire in. The healthier and more vibrant the community is, the more valuable state trust lands become and result in additional revenues for our public schools, universities, and hospitals and thus keep our taxpayer’s bills lower.”

“The master plan was designed to foster a community with a strong identity, while preserving the rural character of Edgewood as expressed by the public during the three public meetings,” added Edgewood Mayor Brad Hill. “The master plan exemplifies the Town’s desire to incorporate the residents’ vision of what their community should be.”

The Edgewood Commons master plan is posted on the website of New Mexico State Land Office.